Manchester United star Ryan Giggs' protracted £40 million divorce from estranged wife Stacey set to end with decree nisi at Central Family Court

Ryan Giggs’ protracted £40 million divorce from estranged wife Stacey Cooke will reach its conclusion when she is granted a decree nisi on Friday morning.

The former Manchester United and Wales midfielder, 43, has been locked in a lengthy court battle with Stacey, 39, over a share of his fortune, earned during a trophy-laden 24-year career.

Giggs’ turbulent seven-year marriage to Stacey, with whom he shares two children, had previously weathered a series of potentially damaging storms, including his eight-year affair with younger brother Rhodri’s wife Natasha Lever.

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Resolved: Ryan Giggs’ protracted £40 million divorce from estranged wife Stacey Cooke will reach its conclusion when she is granted a decree nisi on Friday morning.

A six-month fling with Welsh TV personality Imogen Thomas, best known for an appearance on reality show Big Brother, was also exposed - despite the retired sportsman obtaining a gagging order.

The couple finally separated last April following his alleged flirting with a waitress employed at George’s, the upmarket Manchester restaurant he opened in 2014.

Argument: Giggs, who stands to lose half his multi-million pound fortune, initially argued that he made a 'special contribution' to the creation of wealth during his marriage to estranged wife Stacey

Jo Edwards, an expert in family court litigation, said: 'Whilst big money is necessary to try to mount a special contribution argument, big money is not enough to succeed; you also have to establish that the contributor has that X factor, that spark of genius.'

The judge said the public should not be given detail of private financial information and he says the names of the estranged couple's children should not be revealed in reports of the case.

He outlined his thoughts in a written ruling on how the case should be reported.

All over: His nine-year marriage to Stacey ended in April 2016 following reported flirting with a waitress employed at George’s, the upmarket Manchester restaurant he opened in 2014

'The husband was a professional footballer,' said Mr Justice Cobb. 'He has a number of business interests, and has (had) a role in coaching and management.

'He played football nationally and internationally for many years, and has a high media profile. He is now 43 years of age.

'His marriage to the wife came to an end last year. The husband and wife have two children. This information is well known to the public at large.'

He added: 'This couple have a significant profile in the media, both nationally and internationally.

'That they are divorcing, and that their financial remedy proceedings are being pursued in the English courts, are pieces of information already in the public domain, and the publication of that information cannot legitimately be restrained by order.'

But he said it was 'appropriate' for hearings be to be staged in private.